IgG Seroconversion and Pathophysiology in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

Henry M Staines,Michael Cocozza,James Schouten,Gala Garrod,Qinxue Hu,Chris Sainter,Kesja Klekotko,Annelyse Duvoix,Martina Cusinato,Gerhard Nebe-Von-Caron,Zawditu Lewis,Michael Johnson,Tim Planche,David J Clark,Daniel Forton,Josephine Mensah-Kane,Derek C Macallan,Kevin Woolston,Daniela E Kirwan,Linda Hadcocks,Yolanda Augustin,Sanjeev Krishna,Irene Monahan,Grant A Kay ,Benedict M O Davies ,Alice Fraser ,Luís E Cuevas ,Catherine Moore ,Joseph R Fitchett ,Christopher T Williams ,John A Wilkins ,Rachel L Byrne ,Amadou Alpha Sall ,Nicholas M Eckersley ,Mark M Davis ,Ana I Cubas-Atienzar ,Stefanie K Menzies ,Paul J Davis ,Emily Adams ,Sophie I Owen

doi:10.3201/eid2701.203074

Henry M Staines, Michael Cocozza + Show 38 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2701.203074

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Journal: Emerging infectious diseases	Publication Date: Nov 30, 2020
Citations: 39	License type: cc-by

Abstract

We investigated the dynamics of seroconversion in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. During March 29–May 22, 2020, we collected serum samples and associated clinical data from 177 persons in London, UK, who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. We measured IgG against SARS-CoV-2 and compared antibody levels with patient outcomes, demographic information, and laboratory characteristics. We found that 2.0%–8.5% of persons did not seroconvert 3–6 weeks after infection. Persons who seroconverted were older, were more likely to have concurrent conditions, and had higher levels of inflammatory markers. Non-White persons had higher antibody concentrations than those who identified as White; these concentrations did not decline during follow-up. Serologic assay results correlated with disease outcome, race, and other risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serologic assays can be used in surveillance to clarify the duration and protective nature of humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Highlights

We investigated the dynamics of seroconversion in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection
Our study shows that a substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients require 3–6 weeks to generate antibodies
Most research on antibody dynamics came from China during the early stages of the pandemic [4,6,8]

Summary

Introduction

We investigated the dynamics of seroconversion in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serologic assay results correlated with disease outcome, race, and other risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a betacoronavirus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a respiratory infection with systemic involvement and an estimated 1%. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) relies on RNA sequencing rather than viral proteins, enabling researchers to develop assays shortly after the viral sequence is identified. Because of this advantage, RTPCR quickly became a common testing method for COVID-19 [4]. Serologic assays for viral infections can contribute to vaccine development, diagnostic deployment, and prescription of new therapeutics.

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